The 2025 U18 Girls National Championships will be littered with exciting GIANTS Academy talent this weekend, with eight members of the club’s Academy named in the Allies’ side to take on Victoria Country in the first clash of the carnival in Sandringham on Sunday morning.
The highest standard of representative state and territory football for under 18 footballers, the National Championships will see the country’s best young talent do battle across Australia over the next two months.
The Allies – which is made up of the best talent from NSW/ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania – will feature GIANTS Academy youngsters Isla Wiencke, Ella Randall, Morgan Stevens, Matilda Elbourne, Yasmeen Janscheck, Majella Day, Zoe Curry, and Rose Bell for their first clash of the championships against Vic Country on Sunday.
GIANTS Academy coach Georgia Walker is rapt to have such a large cohort rewarded with Allies selection.
“It is such a testament to the program and support from the coaches across each region to have these eight girls selected in the squad, but also playing this weekend,” she said.
“These girls have worked so hard to get to where they are and I’m just so proud and so excited for them to get the opportunity on the big stage to showcase themselves.
“The girls have been performing really well and consistently this year, which is what has enabled them to be recognised to play in the state team.
“They all continue to push themselves to be better and are constantly doing extras and going above and beyond their expectations. It takes a lot of hard work and self-belief - and these girls continue to build and improve each day.”
Walker added that it was a fantastic achievement for the program to have eight players selected, and from a broad range of age groups.
“Eight is quite extraordinary, with two overagers (Ella Randall and Yasmeen Janscheck), two 18-year- olds (Matilda Elbourne and Isla Wiencke) and four 17-year-olds (Morgan Steven, Zoe Curry, Majella Day, Rose Bell), it is a very spread mix across age groups. We have some very young and exciting bottom age talent which is very exciting for them to get their opportunity.”
Walker said playing in the National Championships will allow the GIANTS Academy cohort a great chance to show their talents on the national stage.
“It’s a great opportunity for these players to perform on the big stage in front of AFLW club recruiters and talent managers, but also play against the best talent across the country. That is something we miss the opportunity to do so regularly given our four-week season in the Coates Talent League, so this gives these girls the opportunity to truly compete against the best and with the best.”
Fellow GIANTS Academy coaches Monique Toal and Brent Trewin from Western Sydney will also be part of the championships after being selected as assistant coaches for the Allies.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for our two coaches Monique Clift and Brent Trewin to be part of the Allies program,” Walker said.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to continue their own development and work with other coaches and players.”
The young crop of GIANTS Academy talent will be on show on Sunday from 9:30am when the Allies clash with Victoria Country at Trevor Barker Beach Oval in Sandringham.
All matches in the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls will be live streamed on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
